The percentage of Covered Medical Expenses payable by Aetna under the Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan and the corresponding percentage of Covered Medical Expenses payable by the Covered Person. Example: For in-patient hospital care by a preferred provider (a hospital participating in the Aetna network):

the Aetna coinsurance pays 80% of the Negotiated Charge up to $10,000 and 100% of the Negotiated Charge thereafter;

the Covered Person coinsurance pays 20% of the Negotiated Charge up to $2,500

The Covered Person coinsurance amount is payable in addition to the applicable copay (preferred providers) or deductible (non-preferred providers.)

The amount that must be paid by the Covered Person at the time services are rendered by a Preferred Provider. Copay amounts are the responsibility of the Covered Person. (Please note that the copay amount will not be reimbursed by AETNA Claims Administrators, Inc.)

A specific amount of Covered Medical Expenses that must be incurred and paid for by the Covered Person before benefits are payable under the Plan. Deductible amounts are the responsibility of the Covered Person.

Medical treatment that is not necessitated by a pathological change in the function or structure in any part of the body occurring after the Covered Person's effective date of coverage. Elective treatment includes, but is not limited to: tubal-ligation; vasectomy; breast reduction; sexual reassignment surgery; submucous resection and/or other surgical correction for deviated nasal septum, other than necessary treatment of covered acute purulent sinusitis; treatment for weight reduction; learning disabilities; immunization; vaccines; treatment of infertility; and routine physical examinations.

A medical or behavioral condition, the onset of which is sudden, and manifests itself by symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, that a prudent layperson, possessing an average knowledge of medicine and health, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in:

Placing the health of the person afflicted with such a condition in severe jeopardy, or, in the case of a behavioral condition, placing the health of such person or others in serious jeopardy.

Serious impairment to such person's bodily functions

Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part of such person

Serious disfigurement of such person

It does not include elective care, routine care, or care for a non-emergency Sickness.

A service or supply that is: necessary and appropriate for the diagnosis or treatment of a Sickness or Injury based on generally accepted current medical practice. In order for a treatment, service, or supply to be considered Medically Necessary, the service or supply must:

Be care or treatment which is likely to produce as significant positive outcome as any alternative service or supply, both as to the Sickness or Injury involved and the person’s overall health condition. It must be no more likely to produce a negative outcome than any alternative service or supply, both as to the Sickness or Injury involved and the person's overall health condition.

Be a diagnostic procedure which is indicated by the health status of the person. It must be as likely to result in information that could affect the course of treatment as any alternative service or supply, both as to the Sickness or Injury involved and the person's overall health condition. It must be no more likely to produce a negative outcome than any alternative service or supply, both as to the Sickness or Injury involved and the person's overall health condition; and

As to diagnosis, care, and treatment, be no more costly (taking into account all health expenses incurred in connection with the treatment, service, or supply) than any alternative service or supply to meet the above tests.

In determining if a service or supply is appropriate under the circumstances, Aetna will take into consideration:

Information relating to the affected person's health status

Reports in peer reviewed medical literature

Reports and guidelines published by nationally recognized health care organizations that include supporting scientific data

Generally recognized professional standards of safety and effectiveness in the United States for diagnosis, care, or treatment

The opinion of health professionals in the generally recognized health specialty involved, and;

Any other relevant information brought to Aetna's attention.

In no event will the following services or supplies be considered to be Medically Necessary:

Those that do not require the technical skills of a medical, a mental health, or a dental professional; or

Those furnished mainly for: the personal comfort or convenience of the person, any person who cares for him or her, or any person who is part of his or her family, any health care provider, or health care facility; or

Those furnished solely because the person is an inpatient on any day on which the person's Sickness or Injury could safely and adequately be diagnosed or treated while not confined; or

Those furnished solely because of the setting if the service or supply could safely and adequately be furnished in a Physician's or a dentist's office or other less costly setting.

Any Injury, Sickness, or condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment was recommended or received within 6 months prior to the Covered Person's effective date of insurance. If a student has continuous coverage under the Columbia University Student Medical Insurance Plan from one year to the next, an Accident or Sickness that first manifests itself during a prior year's coverage shall not be considered a Pre-Existing Condition.

A health care provider that has contracted to furnish services or supplies for a Negotiated Charge, but only if the provider is, with Aetna's consent, included in the Directory as a Preferred Care Provider for the service or supply involved, and the class of which the Covered Person is a member.

A Pharmacy which is party to a contract with Aetna to dispense drugs to persons covered under the Policy, but only while the contract remains in effect; and when the Pharmacy dispenses a Prescription Drug under the terms of its contract with Aetna.

Only that part of a charge which is reasonable is covered. The reasonable charge for a service or supply is the lowest of:

the provider's usual charge for furnishing it

the charge Aetna determines to be appropriate, based on factors such as the cost of providing the same or a similar service or supply and the manner in which charges for the service or supply are made

the charge Aetna determines to be the prevailing charge level made for it in the geographic area where it is furnished

In some circumstances Aetna may have an agreement, either directly or indirectly through a third party, with a provider which sets the rate that Aetna will pay for a service or supply. In these instances, in spite of the methodology described above, the Reasonable Charge is the rate established in such agreement.

In determining the Reasonable Charge for a service or supply that is unusual, not often provided in the area, or provided by only a small number of providers in the area, Aetna may take into account factors such as: